The Young and the RA

I thought I would talk about something more personal in today’s post. As I mentioned in my earlier post about my diagnosis, I have had problems with my left middle finger since the very beginning. I lost movement in it about four months after being diagnosed with RA. I am now, four years later, looking at having surgery to fix the problem.

I went in about a week ago to a hand surgeon to see what my options were. From there I was sent to have an ultrasound done of my hand. (I know! An ultrasound of my hand! I didn’t even know they could do that.) The procedure took over an hour to do, but it was amazing everything it showed. (I am hoping I can get pictures of it to put up on the site. When I see the hand surgeon for my follow-up appointment, I’ll ask. I think you will find them very interesting.)

According to the ultrasound technician, my finger and hand showed signs of tenosynovitis, inflammation of the lining of the sheath that surrounds the tendons in my finger and hand.

The good news is that the tenosynovitis is not active and thus not causing erosion, and also the surgery to get rid of tenosynovitis is a lot less invasive than if I had a snapped tendon. If my tendon had been snapped or gone completely, they would have to take a tendon from my wrist to replace it, and then I’d have to have eight or so weeks of physical therapy. All in all, a lot of time and energy.

But, according to the surgeon, if it is tenosynovitis, they just go in and remove the inflammation, and I can be up and moving it in the same day! (Or practically the same day.) A lot less invasive, right?

I have to go back and see the surgeon to hear the final word on what kind of surgery will be done, but the results of the ultrasound were promising! I’ll keep you in the loop.

I also found it interesting to learn that there are other reasons a person can get tenosynovitis. One blog I found mention “texting” as a cause, which I found amusing.

Until next time,

S.P.